Browser based wagering game systems and configuration

ABSTRACT

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting a request to present wagering game content via a web browser associated with a wagering game machine, wherein an identifier is associated with the request, wherein the identifier is stored in a setting associated with the wagering game machine via a first mode of the wagering game machine, and wherein the request is provided via a second mode of the wagering game machine different from the first mode. The operations further include generating a document associated with the identifier, wherein the wagering game content is included in the document. In some examples, the document is in a format presentable via the web browser. The operations further include providing the document for presentation via the web browser.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the priority benefitof, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/116,726 filed May 26, 2011,which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/348,469 filed May 26, 2010.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Copyright 2014, WMS Gaming, Inc.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wageringgame systems and networks that, more particularly, configure wageringgame systems.

BACKGROUND

Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines andthe like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for severalyears. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on thelikelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine andthe intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options. Where the available gaming options include anumber of competing wagering game machines and the expectation ofwinning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be thesame), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining andexciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ themost entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancementsavailable because such machines attract frequent play and hence increaseprofitability to the operator. Some of those machines, features, andenhancements may require advanced configuration. Wagering game providersencounter many challenges configuring wagering game machines to properlypresent and control content consistently. Further, wagering gameproviders encounter challenges keeping content up to date on wageringgame machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Embodiments are illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of serving web content using a configured webaddress and displaying the web content in a web browser on a wageringgame machine, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a wagering game system architecture 200,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 300 illustrating serving and presenting webcontent in a web browser on a wagering game machine, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of generating a webpage dynamically using awagering game machine identifier and a pre-configured webpage template,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a wagering game machine architecture 500,according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a wagering game machine 600, according tosome embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. Thefirst section provides an introduction to embodiments. The secondsection describes example operating environments while the third sectiondescribes example operations performed by some embodiments. The fourthsection describes additional example embodiments while the fifth sectiondescribes additional example operating environments. The sixth sectionpresents some general comments.

Introduction

This section provides an introduction to some embodiments.

Providers of wagering game entertainment (“gaming providers”), such ascasinos, game manufacturers, etc., provide a multitude of wagering gamemachines with a variety of wagering games. Gaming providers configurewagering game machines so that the wagering game machines present dataconsistently and without errors. A gaming provider typically has toconfigure a wagering game machine by performing several procedures. Forexample, a gaming provider downloads and stores wagering game content(e.g., wagering game application files) on the wagering game machine.The gaming provider installs wagering game client applications on thewagering game machine, and configures the wagering game machine toexecute, or launch, the wagering game application, such as during aninitialization or boot up procedure of a wagering game machine, during apower cycle, etc. The gaming provider also downloads and/or maintainssupporting data (e.g., firmware, supporting software, configurationfiles, templates, etc.) that supports or accompanies the clientapplications, which may also require maintenance and configuration.Further, whenever the wagering game machine needs maintenance orupdating to the content or supporting data, the gaming provider accessesthe wagering game machine directly, loads new or updated content andsupporting data onto the wagering game machine, and reconfigures thewagering game machine to run the new or updated content and supportingdata.

Some embodiments of the present invention, however, present ways toconfigure wagering game machines with minimal effort, without needing todownload local content or supporting software and without needing toregularly access the wagering game machine manually to provide updatesto content or supporting data. For example, a wagering game system,according to some embodiments of the invention, can provide gamingproviders with a configuration tool that can configure wagering gamemachines with web browsers. The web browsers can present wagering gamecontent via webpages on a display of the wagering game machine. Thewebpages can include all, or significant portions, of wagering gamecontent used during a wagering game session. The gaming providers canstore the webpages on a web server, or on other network locations ordevices, such as on a wagering game server. The gaming providers can usethe configuration tool to configure the wagering game machines with webaddresses that access webpages for an advertised theme, denomination,etc. at the wagering game machine. The webpages contain the wageringgame content related to the theme, denomination, etc. and the wageringgame machine can access the web address, load the webpage, and presentthe webpage using the web browser.

In some embodiments, a web server can dynamically generate webpagesbased on identification information (e.g., unique identifiers)associated with a wagering game machine. Thus, in some embodiments,gaming providers can configure servers to generate webpages dynamicallyfor wagering game machines without needing to manually access andmanually configure wagering game machines. Further, by using webpages, agaming provider can configure content for wagering game machines at aserver level, ensuring that content is consistent and up to date acrossall wagering game machines. Further, a gaming provider can test anappearance of a webpage from a browser built into the configuration toolat a configuration server. Thus, the gaming provider can test theappearance of how wagering game content will appear at a wagering gamemachine without having to access the wagering game machine manually. Inaddition, a gaming provider can use the configuration tool to create awebpage that has different types of wagering game content, differentapplications, different game themes, etc. in different locations orsections of the webpage. The webpage eliminates the need for multiplecross communications between client and server other than webpagecommunications. Further, by presenting web content on wagering gamemachines using webpages, a wagering game machine can recover morequickly and easily from power cycles because the wagering game machinedoes not have to perform a lengthy initialization procedure.Furthermore, the wagering game machine can cache web content thatpersists across power cycles, also providing quicker recovery. Inaddition, wagering game content can be more secure when stored anddelivered as server-based web content versus being stored on eachindividual wagering game machine.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of servingweb content using a configured web address and displaying the webcontent in a web browser on a wagering game machine, according to someembodiments. In FIG. 1, a wagering game system (“system”) 100 includes awagering game machine 160 connected to a wagering game server 150 via acommunications network 122. The wagering game machine 160 can present aweb browser 102 on a display of the wagering game machine 160. The webbrowser 102 can be configured to hide user-controls, dropdown menus,borders, or other objects that indicate that the web browser 102 is aweb browser application. The web browser 102 can use a webpage 103 as asole source of wagering game content presented on the wagering gamemachine 160. The web browser 102 can appear to a player during awagering game session to cover the entire display, or in other wordsencompass an entire display area 111, so that the display area 111appears similar to a background window of the wagering game machine 160.

The wagering game server 150 can provide the webpage 103, which containsgaming content that a player account can utilize while logged on to thewagering game machine 160 during a wagering game session in a casino.The webpage 103 can be divided into different parts, such as a primarygame section 110, a secondary content section 106, and one or moreadditional sections (e.g., a player information section 105). In theprimary game section 110, the webpage 103 can present a primary wageringgame application 112 that provides, for example, a slot game (e.g., the“Lots O'Luck” slot game advertised in the top-box display 180). The slotgame can include reels 107, a credit meter 113, a bet meter 115, and aspin button 117. The primary wagering game application 112 can be a webapplication file configured for web display, such as a vector graphicanimation (e.g., Adobe™ Flash) with scripting (e.g., ActionScript) thatcontrols game functionality within the vector graphic animation.

The wagering game server 150 stores the webpage 103 as a webpagedocument 143. The webpage document 143 can include web document codesuch as hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language(XML), C#, PHP, JavaScript, AJAX, etc. The webpage document 143 can bean HTML document (e.g., have an “.HTML” or “.HTM” file extension), anActive Server Page or Microsoft™ ASP.NET document (e.g., a webpagedocument with an “.ASP” file extension), an open source code (e.g., awebpage document with a .PHP file extension), etc. For instance, in FIG.1, the webpage document 143 is an ASP.NET type of webpage document named“1.ASP.” The webpage document 143 can include different webpage documentsections, such as a primary game section 141, a secondary contentsection 146, and a player information section 145. The system 100 canembed web application files into the different webpage documentsections. For example, the system 100 can embed a first web applicationfile “LOTS_O_LUCK.SWF,” in the primary game section 141. The system 100can also embed a second web application file “REEL_EM_IN_(—)3.SWF,” intothe secondary content section 146. Further, the system 100 can embed athird web application file “PLAYER_INFO.SWF” in the player informationsection 145. The web browser 102 can be configured to present thewebpage document 143 as well as any type of embedded web applicationfiles configured for web display (e.g., the “LOTS_O_LUCK.SWF” webapplication file, the “PLAYER_INFO.SWF” web application file, and the“REEL_EM_IN_(—)3.SWF” web application file).

To access and present the webpage 103, the wagering game machine 160provides a web address 126, associated with a web address setting 125,to the wagering game server 150. In some embodiments, the web addresssetting 125 is stored on a memory location belonging to, or associatedwith, the wagering game machine 160. The wagering game server 150receives the web address 126 and determines, from the web address, thatthe wagering game machine 160 should present the webpage document 143.The wagering game server 150 then provides the webpage document 143 tothe wagering game machine 160. The wagering game machine 160 receivesthe webpage document 143 and loads the webpage document 143 into the webbrowser 102. Then, the web browser 102 presents the webpage document 143as the webpage 103.

In some embodiments, the communications network 122 can be a privatenetwork within a casino. In other embodiments, however, thecommunications network 122 can be the Internet or World Wide Web. Thewagering game server 150 can deliver the webpage document 143 to thewagering game machine 160 using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).Consequently, the wagering game server 150 may also be referred to as aweb server.

Further, some embodiments of the inventive subject matter may includeexamples of configuring browser based wagering game systems in a networkwagering venue (e.g., an online casino, a wagering game website, awagering network, etc.) using a communication network, such as thecommunications network 122 in FIG. 1. Some embodiments can be presentedover any type of communications network that provides access to wageringgames, such as a public network (e.g., a public wide-area-network, suchas the Internet), a private network (e.g., a private local-area-networkgaming network), a file sharing network, a social network, etc., or anycombination of networks. Multiple users can be connected to the networksvia computing devices. The multiple users can have accounts thatsubscribe to specific services, such as account-based wagering systems(e.g., account-based wagering game websites, account-based casinonetworks, etc.).

Further, in some embodiments herein a user may be referred to as aplayer (i.e., of wagering games), and a player may be referred tointerchangeably as a player account. Account-based wagering systemsutilize player accounts when transacting and performing activities, atthe computer level, that are initiated by players. Therefore, a “playeraccount” represents the player at a computerized level. The playeraccount can perform actions via computerized instructions. For example,in some embodiments, a player account may be referred to as performingan action, controlling an item, communicating information, etc. Althougha player, or person, may be activating a game control or device toperform the action, control the item, communicate the information, etc.,the player account, at the computer level, can be associated with theplayer, and therefore any actions associated with the player can also beassociated with the player account. Therefore, for brevity, to avoidhaving to describe the interconnection between player and player accountin every instance, a “player account” may be referred to herein ineither context. Further, in some embodiments herein, the word “gaming”is used interchangeably with “gambling.”

Although FIG. 1 describes some embodiments, the following sectionsdescribe many other features and embodiments.

Example Operating Environments

This section describes example operating environments and networks andpresents structural aspects of some embodiments. More specifically, thissection includes discussion about wagering game system architectures.

Wagering Game System Architecture

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wageringgame system architecture 200, according to some embodiments. Thewagering game system architecture 200 can include an account server 270configured to control user related accounts accessible via wagering gamenetworks and social networks. The account server 270 can store and trackplayer information, such as identifying information (e.g., avatars,screen name, account identification numbers, etc.) or other informationlike financial account information, social contact information, etc. Theaccount server 270 can contain accounts for social contacts referencedby the player account. The account server 270 can also provide auditingcapabilities, according to regulatory rules, and track the performanceof players, machines, and servers.

The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a wageringgame server 250 configured to control wagering game content, providerandom numbers, and communicate wagering game information, accountinformation, and other information to and from a wagering game machine260. The wagering game server 250 can include a content controller 251configured to manage and control content for the presentation of contenton the wagering game machine 260. For example, the content controller251 can generate game results (e.g., win/loss values), including winamounts, for games played on the wagering game machine 260. The contentcontroller 251 can communicate the game results to the wagering gamemachine 260. In some embodiments, the content controller 251communicates the game results to web application files embedded in awebpage that the wagering game machine 260 presents via a web browser.The content controller 251 can also generate random numbers and providethem to the wagering game machine 260 so that the wagering game machine260 can generate game results. For example, the wagering game machine260 can generate a game result and provide it to a web application fileembedded in the webpage presented on the web browser. The wagering gameserver 250 can also include a content store 252 configured to containcontent to present on the wagering game machine 260. The wagering gameserver 250 can also include an account manager 253 configured to controlinformation related to player accounts. For example, the account manager253 can communicate wager amounts, game results amounts (e.g., winamounts), bonus game amounts, etc., to the account server 270. Thewagering game server 250 can also include a communication unit 254configured to communicate information to the wagering game machine 260and to communicate with other systems, devices and networks. Thewagering game server 250 can also include a webpage controller 255configured to control generation, access, delivery, etc. of webpages.The wagering game server 250 can also include a webpage configurationmodule 256 configured to configure webpage templates. For example, thewebpage configuration module 256 can be configured to present agraphical user interface for an operator to configure webpages usingdesign tools and templates. In some embodiments, the wagering gameserver 250, and/or the webpage configuration module 256, may be referredto as a configuration server. The wagering game server 250 can alsoinclude a webpage configurations store 257 configured to storeconfigurations (e.g., settings, files, etc.) related to generation,access, delivery, etc. of webpages. In some embodiments, the webpageconfigurations store 257 may be referred to interchangeably as a datastore for configuration information, such as a database and/or may beused in conjunction with a database. In some embodiments, the wageringgame server 250 functions as a web server that can control and presentan online wagering games using webpages via the Internet. The wageringgame server 250 can also be configured to present multiple wagering gameapplications on the wagering game machine 260 via a wagering gamewebsite, or other gaming-type venue accessible via the Internet. Thewagering game server 250 can also host an online social networkingwebsite. The wagering game server 250 can also include other devices,servers, mechanisms, etc., that provide functionality (e.g., controls,webpages, applications, etc.) that web users can use to connect to asocial networking application and/or website and utilize socialnetworking and website features (e.g., communications mechanisms,applications, etc.).

The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include the wageringgame machine 260 configured to present wagering games and receive andtransmit web pages and configuration information related to web contentand web page metadata (e.g., web pages, web addresses, web configurationsettings, web page properties, browser configuration settings, etc.).The wagering game machine 260 can include a content controller 261configured to manage and control content and presentation of content onthe wagering game machine 260, for example, by controlling a web browserapplication and presenting wagering game content via web pages on theweb browser. The wagering game machine 260 can also include a contentstore 262 configured to contain content to present on the wagering gamemachine 260. In some embodiments, the content store 262 stores webpages,web application files, or other web content. In some embodiments, thecontent store can also store client applications that the wagering gamemachine 260 can present in addition to web pages. The wagering gamemachine 260 can also include a webpage configurations store 263configured to store configurations (e.g., settings) related to webpages,such as a webpage address, a unique identifier for the wagering gamemachine 260, of other information that the wagering game server 250 canuse to determine webpages that the wagering game machine 260 can presentusing a web browser application.

The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a secondarycontent server 280 configured to provide content and control informationfor secondary games and other secondary content available on a wageringgame network (e.g., secondary wagering game content, promotions content,advertising content, player tracking content, web content, etc.). Thesecondary content server 280 can provide “secondary” content, or contentfor “secondary” games presented on the wagering game machine 260. Thesecondary content server 280 can also provide web application files thatthe wagering game server 250 can embed into web pages and provide to thewagering game machine 260. “Secondary” in some embodiments can refer toan application's importance or priority of the data. In someembodiments, “secondary” can refer to a distinction, or separation, froma primary content (e.g., a separate web application files, separatecontent, separate states, separate functions, separate processes,separate programming sources, separate processor threads, separate data,separate control, separate domains, etc.). Nevertheless, in someembodiments, secondary content and control can be passed betweenapplications (e.g., via application protocol interfaces), or between webapplication files, thus becoming, or falling under the control of,primary content or primary applications or primary web applicationfiles, and vice versa.

Each component shown in the wagering game system architecture 200 isshown as a separate and distinct element connected via a communicationsnetwork 222. However, some functions performed by one component could beperformed by other components. Furthermore, the components shown may allbe contained in one device, but some, or all, may be included in, orperformed by, multiple devices, as in the configurations shown in FIG. 2or other configurations not shown. For example, the account manager 253and the communication unit 254 can be included in the wagering gamemachine 260 instead of, or in addition to, being a part of the wageringgame server 250. Further, in some embodiments, the wagering game machine260 can determine wagering game outcomes, generate random numbers, etc.instead of, or in addition to, the wagering game server 250.

The wagering game machines described herein (e.g., wagering game machine260) can take any suitable form, such as floor standing models, handheldmobile units, bar-top models, workstation-type console models, surfacecomputing machines, etc. Further, wagering game machines can beprimarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games, or can includenon-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, personal digitalassistants, personal computers, etc.

In some embodiments, wagering game machines and wagering game serverswork together such that wagering game machines can be operated as thin,thick, or intermediate clients. For example, one or more elements ofgame play may be controlled by the wagering game machines (client) orthe wagering game servers (server). Game play elements can includeexecutable game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome,audio or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. Ina thin-client example, the wagering game server can perform functionssuch as determining game outcome or managing assets, while the wageringgame machines can present a graphical representation of such outcome orasset modification to the user (e.g., player). In a thick-clientexample, the wagering game machines can determine game outcomes andcommunicate the outcomes to the wagering game server for recording ormanaging a player's account.

In some embodiments, either the wagering game machines (client) or thewagering game server(s) can provide functionality that is not directlyrelated to game play. For example, account transactions and accountrules may be managed centrally (e.g., by the wagering game server(s)) orlocally (e.g., by the wagering game machines). Other functionality notdirectly related to game play may include power management, presentationof advertising, software or firmware updates, system quality or securitychecks, etc.

Furthermore, the wagering game system architecture 200 can beimplemented as software, hardware, any combination thereof, or otherforms of embodiments not listed. For example, any of the networkcomponents (e.g., the wagering game machines, servers, etc.) can includehardware and machine-readable storage media including instructions forperforming the operations described herein. Machine-readable storagemedia includes any mechanism that stores information in a form readableby a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). Forexample, machine-readable storage media includes read only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory machines, etc. Some embodiments of the invention canalso include machine-readable signal media, such as any media suitablefor transmitting software over a network.

Example Operations

This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. Inthe discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference toblock diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, theoperations can be performed by logic not described in the blockdiagrams.

In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executinginstructions residing on machine-readable storage media (e.g.,software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performedby hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments,the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments,one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover,some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shownin any flow diagram.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram (“flow”) 300 illustrating serving andpresenting web content in a web browser on a wagering game machine,according to some embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 4 are conceptual diagramsthat help illustrate the flow of FIG. 3, according to some embodiments.This description will present FIG. 3 in concert with FIGS. 1 and 4. InFIG. 3, the flow 300 begins at processing block 302, where a wageringgame machine presents a web browser on a display of the wagering gamemachine. For example, a wagering game machine can launch the web browseron a primary display for the wagering game machine. The web browser canengross, or encompass, an entire display area of a display for thewagering game machine.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 304, where the wagering gamemachine sends a request to a wagering game server for a webpage withwagering game content. The wagering game machine can send the requestoutside a wagering game session, or in other words, when a player is notlogged on to the wagering game machine. For instance, the request can befrom a start up or initialization procedure for the wagering gamemachine. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine can send arequest without sending a web address, such as an instruction for thewagering game server to determine an appropriate webpage for thewagering game machine and then send the appropriate webpage to thewagering game machine. In other embodiments, the request can beinitiated from a configuration server that wants to test presentation ofwagering game content on the wagering game machine. The configurationserver can send the request to the wagering game machine or directly tothe wagering game server.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 306, where the wagering gameserver detects the request by the wagering game machine for the webpage.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 308, where the system usesconfiguration data associated with the wagering game machine todetermine the webpage that includes the wagering game content. In someembodiments, the wagering game server can access and use a web addressassociated with the wagering game machine and serve a webpage describedin the web address, similarly as described in FIG. 1. In someembodiments, the web address is associated with the wagering gamemachine prior to the request to present the wagering game content on thedisplay. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine can send theconfiguration data to the web server with the request. The web addresscan be a fixed, or static, web address. In other words, the web addresscan be a link, or locator, to a static webpage document. For example,the web address can be a uniform resource locator (e.g.,http://server.casino.com/1.asp) or an IP address (e.g., 134.34.3.4)associated with the wagering game machine. The web address can be storedin a setting during a configuration session. For instance, the systemcan present a graphical user interface through which an administrativeuser can input (e.g., type, select from a dropdown, etc.) the webaddress and store the web address in the setting. In some embodiments,the system can store the setting, with the web address, on any memorystorage location that is associated with the wagering game machine. Thememory storage location can be on the wagering game machine or thememory location can be physically external to the wagering game machine(e.g., on a network server, on a flash drive, in a database, etc.). Insome embodiments, the system is configured to store the setting via aconfiguration process for the wagering game machine. The wagering gamemachine can send the web address by initiating an operation of the webbrowser that navigates to, or locates the web address (e.g., operationto “go to,” “open,” “begin session,” etc.). For example, the wageringgame machine can copy the web address from the storage locationassociated with the setting and insert the web address into a hiddenaddress field of the web browser. In other embodiments, the web browsercan be configured to store the web address as metadata (e.g., as adefault starting location or “home page” for the web browser). Thus, thesetting can be integrated with configuration options for the webbrowser.

In some embodiments, the wagering game server can use a wagering gamemachine identifier associated with the wagering game machine anddynamically generate the webpage using a pre-configured template andstored data. In some embodiments, the wagering game server candynamically create configurations via a service. For example, thewagering game server can look up configuration data (e.g., settings,configuration instructions, webpage information, etc.) in a database.The configuration data can specify how a particular wagering gamemachine should be configured and how webpages should be generated. Thewagering game server generates a webpage based on the configuration dataand downloads the webpage to the wagering game machine. In someembodiments, the wagering game server can search for a reference, orentry, of the configuration data in a database. For instance, thedatabase can include an entry, or value, for the wagering game machineidentifier. The wagering game server can find an accompanying, orrelated, entry or value in the database for a webpage template that isrelated to entry for the value of the wagering game identifier. Thewagering game server can then access and use a webpage templateassociated with the value in the database for the webpage template. Thedatabase can also include additional configuration settings. Thewagering game server can use the webpage template and the additionalconfiguration settings to generate a webpage document. FIG. 4illustrates an example of generating a webpage using a webpage templateand configuration data.

In FIG. 4, a wagering game system (“system”) 400 includes a wageringgame machine 460 connected to a wagering game server 450 via acommunications network 422. Also included in the system 400 are anaccount server 470 and a database 480, which are also connected to thecommunications network 422. The account server 470 host can host awagering game account (e.g., player account 471 for the user “MarcusMiller”). The wagering game machine 460 can present a web browser 402.The web browser 402 can present a webpage 403 served by the wageringgame server 450. A user (i.e., Marcus Miller) can log in to the playeraccount 471 via the web browser 402 presented by the wagering gamemachine 460. The wagering game server 450 can provide gaming content.The webpage 403 can present the gaming content (e.g., a slot game thatincludes reels 407, a credit meter 413, a bet meter 415, and a spinbutton 417), which the player account 471 can utilize during a wageringgame session in a casino while logged on to the wagering game machine460.

In some embodiments, the wagering game server 450 can login anadministrative user account and present a graphical user interface 440that the administrative user can use as a webpage designer tool tocreate a webpage. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface 440can provide controls and other features that the administrative user canuse to configure a webpage template 443. The wagering game server 450can detect data inputs and/or user selections by the administrative user(e.g., via user inputs at a keyboard, via user selections of controls,etc.). The webpage template 443 can be divided into various templatesections. For example, the webpage template 443 can include a titlesection 449, a first template section 441 related to a primary wageringgame content, a second template section 445 related to a player'sinformation content, a third template section 446 related to secondarywagering game content, and a fourth template section 448 related toadvertising content. The system 400 can detect, via user input throughthe graphical user interface 440, data inputs and/or user selections ofone of the controls in one of the sections of the webpage template 443.For example, the system 400 can detect a user input of data in a titledescription field 429 (e.g., the administrative user types in the value“1.ASP” into the title description field 429). The system 400 can storethe value entered into the title description field 429 in a datalocation 492 related to a template title setting 482. The value in thetitle description field 429 can refer to the name of the webpagetemplate 443. The system 400 can generate a webpage document that hasthe same name as the value in the title description field 429 (e.g., awebpage document 499 named “1.ASP”). The webpage template 443 caninclude any webpage code necessary to generate the webpage document 499,which appears as the webpage 403 when presented in the web browser 402.

Furthermore, the system 400 can detect a selection, by theadministrative user, of a first dropdown control 443 through which theadministrative user can select a wagering game theme or title of aprimary wagering game. The system 400 can also detect a selection, bythe administrative user, of a money value control 424, to set adenomination value for the primary wagering game. For instance, thesystem 400 can detect a selection by the administrative user of a value(i.e., “Lots 'O Luck”) in the first dropdown control 423 and a value(i.e., $1) in the money value control 424. The system 400 can store thevalues of the first dropdown control 423 and the money value control 424in the database 480. For instance, the system 400 stores the “Lots 'OLuck” value in a data location 493 related to a primary content sectionsetting 483.

The system 400 can also detect selection of other controls, such as thesecond dropdown control 425 in the second section 445. The seconddropdown control 425 can specify a configuration setting that indicatesa type of player information to be presented via the second section 445.For instance, the system 400 detects that an administrative user selectsa dropdown values of “Def.” which is short for “Default.” The “Def.”setting indicates that the second section 445 will show playerinformation that the system 400 defines as default (e.g., a depiction ofan avatar and a name of a player account). The system 400 can store thevalue of the second dropdown control 425 in the database 480 at a datalocation 495 related to an account content section setting 485.

Further, the system 400 can detect selection of a third dropdown control426 in the third section 446. The third dropdown control 426 can specifya configuration setting that indicates a type of player information tobe presented via the third section 446. For instance, the system 400detects that an administrative user selects a dropdown values of “Pref.”which is short for “Preference.” The “Pref.” setting indicates that thethird section 446 will show secondary wagering game content according toa first player setting 431 indicating a type of preferred secondarywagering game content (e.g., the player indicates a preference to showin the second section 446 the “Most Played” secondary wagering gamesavailable). The system 400 can store the value of the third dropdowncontrol 426 in the database 480 at a data location 494 related to asecondary content section setting 484.

In addition, the system 400 can detect selection of a fourth dropdowncontrol 428 in the fourth section 448. The fourth dropdown control 428can specify a configuration setting that indicates a type of playerinformation to be presented via the fourth section 448. For instance,the system 400 detects that an administrative user selects a dropdownvalue of “Rules” which indicates that the fourth section 448 will showadvertising content according to rules and conditions that occur duringa wagering game session. For example, the rules may refer to a secondplayer setting 432, if set by the a player account, indicating a type ofpreferred advertising content (e.g., the player indicates a preferenceto show in the fourth section 448 “New Game Ads” or advertisement fornewly released wagering games). If the player account, however, does notset a preference in the second player setting 432, the rules may referto other conditions, states, events, etc. that occur on the system 400.The system 400 can store the value of the fourth dropdown control 428 inthe database 480 at a data location 496 related to a marketing contentsection setting 486.

The system 400 can use the webpage template 443 to generate the webpagedocument 499 that appears as the webpage 403 when presented in thebrowser 402. In some embodiments, the system 400 can dynamicallygenerate the webpage document 499 using the information stored in thedatabase 480. The system 400 can ascertain a unique identifier 419 thatuniquely identifies the wagering game machine 460. The unique identifier419, for example, may be a serial number for the wagering game machine460. The unique identifier 419 is stored in an identification setting401 associated with (e.g., stored on, linked to, etc.) the wagering gamemachine 460. The wagering game server 450 can obtain the uniqueidentifier 419 from the wagering game machine 460 and use the uniqueidentifier 419 to generate the webpage document 499 by using webdocument code stored in the webpage template 443. The web document codedefines a structure, or layout, of a webpage document. The wagering gameserver 450 can refer to the settings stored in the database 480 topopulate, or embed, gaming content (e.g., web application files, Flashfiles, etc.) into template layout sections (e.g., template layoutsections 441, 445, 446, 448) of the webpage template 443. The templatelayout sections 441, 445, 446, 448 correspond to webpage sections 410,405, 406, 408 of the webpage 403. The wagering game server 450 reads thevalues in settings 483, 484, 485 and 486, which correspond toinformation from the template layout sections 441, 445, 446, 448. Forinstance, the values in the settings 483, 484, 485 486 identify types ofgaming content for each of the template layout sections 441, 445, 446,448. The wagering game server 450 can generate the webpage document 499,using web code from webpage template 443 that corresponds to thetemplate layout sections 441, 445, 446, 448. The wagering game server450 can then embed web applications into webpage document 499 based onthe web code for the template layout sections 441, 445, 446, 448, usingthe values in the settings 483, 484, 485 and 486 as parameters for theweb code.

For instance, the system 400 looks up the unique identifier 419 at adata location 491 associated via a relationship 487 with a wagering gamemachine identifier setting 481 on the database 480. The wagering gamemachine identifier setting 481 can be linked (e.g., via a key in adatabase 480) to the template title setting 482 (e.g., the value in thedata location 491 links to the value in the data location 492 via therelationship 487 in a relationship table or column within the database480). After ascertaining that the unique identifier 419 is associatedwith a specific webpage title in the database (e.g., associated with the“1.ASP” webpage title indicated in the data location 492) the system 400ascertains that the webpage template 443 is the template required togenerate the “1.ASP” webpage document 499. The system 400 can use thevalues in the settings 482, 484, 485, 486 to obtain (e.g., search forand find) web application files that correlate to the values in thesettings 482, 484, 485, 486. The system 400 then embeds web applicationfiles that into the template layout sections 441, 445, 446, 448 so thatthe web application files appear in the webpage sections 410, 405, 406,408. The wagering game server 450 provides the webpage document 499 tothe wagering game machine 460 and the wagering game machine 460 providesthe webpage document 499 to the web browser 402, which presents thewebpage document 499 as the webpage 403.

The webpage 403 includes content specified by settings in the database480, such as the “Lots 'O Luck” wagering game application in a primarywagering game section 410 of the webpage 403 or the default playerinformation content in a player information section 405 of the webpage403. The webpage 403 also includes content that may be ascertained viaanalysis of conditions and application of rules, as previouslyexplained. For example, the system 400 can read the second playersetting 432 indicating a player preference for most played or mostpopular wagering game content, then, based on the player preference,include a gaming application (e.g., the “Slots 'O Fun” wagering gameapplication 437 which is a popular game) in a secondary content section406 of the webpage 403. In another example, the system 400 can refer tothe first player setting 432, via analysis of conditions and applicationto rules, which indicates a player preference for new or recentlyreleased wagering game content. The system 400 can then embed anadvertisement 439 for the “Reel 'Em In 3” wagering game in anadvertising section 408 of the webpage 403.

In some embodiments, the system 400 can store the webpage document 499and serve the webpage document 499 when requested instead of dynamicallygenerating the webpage document 499 when requested.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 310, where the wagering gameserver provides the webpage to the wagering game machine. For instance,as described in FIG. 4, the web server delivers the webpage document 499to the wagering game machine 460.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 312, where the wagering gamemachine receives the webpage from the wagering game server.

The flow 300 continues at processing block 314, where the systempresents the webpage in a web browser on the wagering game display forthe wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the wagering gamemachine can disable any features of the web browser that would allow aplayer to navigate away from the webpage during a wagering game session.Further, the wagering game machine can present all gaming content forthe display via the web browser, so that web browser takes up entiredisplay area and appears indistinguishable from a background window ofthe operating system.

Additional Example Embodiments

According to some embodiments, a wagering game system (“system”) canprovide various example devices, operations, etc., to configure browserbased wagering game systems. The following non-exhaustive listenumerates some possible embodiments.

-   -   In some embodiments, the system can use a Real-Time Gaming (RTG)        platform, or a video lottery terminal (VLT). For example, the        VLT can be a webpage with a multi-game selection screen that has        hyperlinks to different games.    -   In some embodiments, the system can configure a group of        wagering game machines to have the same primary wagering game,        but different secondary games (e.g., different types of games,        fewer or lesser games, etc.). The individual wagering game        machines in the group can reference different webpages that have        different secondary wagering game content, but the same primary        wagering game content.    -   In some embodiments, the system can configure webpages for any        denomination or game configuration. The system can store a set        of popular configurations, with different webpages for each        configuration that can use the different webpages.    -   In some embodiments, the system can configure a webpage to        include downloadable content code. In some embodiments, the        system can configure a webpage that loads as a plug-in, and the        server pushes the content code to the plug-in so that the client        can execute the content code. In another embodiment, however,        the server can execute the content code on the server.    -   In some embodiments, the system can integrate third-party        content (e.g., a video from YouTube) into the webpage    -   In some embodiments, the system can configure a web browser on a        personal computer (PC) to present wagering game content. The        system can configure the web browser to hide functionality that        a user can use to change the appearance of the web browser so        that the web browser stays fixed.    -   In some embodiments, the system can synchronize presentation of        content across a bank of wagering game machines by synchronizing        content presentation via the webpages at the server level. Thus,        some embodiments of the invention can eliminate the need for        bank controllers to synchronize events of local wagering game        applications at the client level.

Additional Example Operating Environments

This section describes example operating environments, systems andnetworks, and presents structural aspects of some embodiments.

Wagering Game Machine Architecture

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wageringgame machine architecture 500, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 5,the wagering game machine architecture 500 includes a wagering gamemachine 506, which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 526connected to main memory 528. The CPU 526 can include any suitableprocessor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2 Duoprocessor, AMD Opteron™ processor, or UltraSPARC processor. The mainmemory 528 includes a wagering game unit 532. In some embodiments, thewagering game unit 532 can present wagering games, such as video poker,video black jack, video slots, video lottery, reel slots, etc., in wholeor part.

The CPU 526 is also connected to an input/output (“I/O”) bus 522, whichcan include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontsidebus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 522 is connected to a payoutmechanism 508, primary display 510, secondary display 512, value inputdevice 514, player input device 516, information reader 518, and storageunit 530. The player input device 516 can include the value input device514 to the extent the player input device 516 is used to place wagers.The I/O bus 522 is also connected to an external system interface 524,which is connected to external systems (e.g., wagering game networks).The external system interface 524 can include logic for exchanginginformation over wired and wireless networks (e.g., 802.11g transceiver,Bluetooth transceiver, Ethernet transceiver, etc.)

The I/O bus 522 is also connected to a location unit 538. The locationunit 538 can create player information that indicates the wagering gamemachine's location/movements in a casino. In some embodiments, thelocation unit 538 includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiverthat can determine the wagering game machine's location using GPSsatellites. In other embodiments, the location unit 538 can include aradio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can determine thewagering game machine's location using RFID readers positionedthroughout a casino. Some embodiments can use GPS receiver and RFID tagsin combination, while other embodiments can use other suitable methodsfor determining the wagering game machine's location. Although not shownin FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the location unit 538 is not connectedto the I/O bus 522.

In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 506 can includeadditional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each componentshown in FIG. 5. For example, in some embodiments, the wagering gamemachine 506 can include multiple external system interfaces 524 and/ormultiple CPUs 526. In some embodiments, any of the components can beintegrated or subdivided.

In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 506 includes a webconfiguration module 537. The web configuration module 537 can processcommunications, commands, or other information, where the processing canconfigure browser based wagering game systems.

Furthermore, any component of the wagering game machine 506 can includehardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable storage media includinginstructions for performing the operations described herein.

Wagering Game Machine

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wageringgame machine 600, according to some embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6,the wagering game machine 600 can be used in gaming establishments, suchas casinos. According to some embodiments, the wagering game machine 600can be any type of wagering game machine and can have varying structuresand methods of operation. For example, the wagering game machine 600 canbe an electromechanical wagering game machine configured to playmechanical slots, or it can be an electronic wagering game machineconfigured to play video casino games, such as blackjack, slots, keno,poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.

The wagering game machine 600 comprises a housing 612 and includes inputdevices, including value input devices 618 and a player input device624. For output, the wagering game machine 600 includes a primarydisplay 614 for displaying information about a basic wagering game. Theprimary display 614 can also display information about a bonus wageringgame and a progressive wagering game. The wagering game machine 600 alsoincludes a secondary display 616 for displaying wagering game events,wagering game outcomes, and/or signage information. While somecomponents of the wagering game machine 600 are described herein,numerous other elements can exist and can be used in any number orcombination to create varying forms of the wagering game machine 600.

The value input devices 618 can take any suitable form and can belocated on the front of the housing 612. The value input devices 618 canreceive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. The value inputdevices 618 can include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency andbill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the valueinput devices 618 can include ticket readers or barcode scanners forreading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other tangibleportable storage devices. The vouchers or cards can authorize access tocentral accounts, which can transfer money to the wagering game machine600.

The player input device 624 comprises a plurality of push buttons on abutton panel 626 for operating the wagering game machine 600. Inaddition, or alternatively, the player input device 624 can comprise atouch screen 628 mounted over the primary display 614 and/or secondarydisplay 616.

The various components of the wagering game machine 600 can be connecteddirectly to, or contained within, the housing 612. Alternatively, someof the wagering game machine's components can be located outside of thehousing 612, while being communicatively coupled with the wagering gamemachine 600 using any suitable wired or wireless communicationtechnology.

The operation of the basic wagering game can be displayed to the playeron the primary display 614. The primary display 614 can also display abonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display614 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution liquidcrystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light emitting diodes (LEDs),or any other type of display suitable for use in the wagering gamemachine 600. Alternatively, the primary display 614 can include a numberof mechanical reels to display the outcome. In FIG. 6, the wagering gamemachine 600 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 614 isoriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the wageringgame machine can be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display614 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of thewagering game machine 600. In yet another embodiment, the wagering gamemachine 600 can exhibit any suitable form factor, such as a freestanding model, bar top model, mobile handheld model, or workstationconsole model.

A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a wager via thevalue input device 618. The player can initiate play by using the playerinput device's buttons or touch screen 628. The basic game can includearranging a plurality of symbols 632 along a pay line, which indicatesone or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes can be randomlyselected in response to player input. At least one of the outcomes,which can include any variation or combination of symbols, can trigger abonus game.

In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 600 can also include aninformation reader 652, which can include a card reader, ticket reader,bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage mediuminterface. In some embodiments, the information reader 652 can be usedto award complimentary services, restore game assets, track playerhabits, etc.

Embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,”“module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the inventive subjectmatter may take the form of a computer program product embodied in anytangible medium of expression having computer readable program codeembodied in the medium. The described embodiments may be provided as acomputer program product, or software, that may include amachine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions,which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronicdevice(s)) to perform a process according to embodiments(s), whetherpresently described or not, because every conceivable variation is notenumerated herein. A machine-readable storage medium includes anymechanism that stores information in a form readable by a machine (e.g.,a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, machine-readablestorage media includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory(RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g.,CD-ROM), flash memory machines, erasable programmable memory (e.g.,EPROM and EEPROM); etc. Some embodiments of the invention can alsoinclude machine-readable signal media, such as any media suitable fortransmitting software over a network.

General

This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawingsand illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subjectmatter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventivesubject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Otherembodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, aslogical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to theexample embodiments described herein. Features of various embodimentsdescribed herein, however essential to the example embodiments in whichthey are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as awhole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, andapplication are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define theseexample embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore,limit embodiments, which are defined only by the appended claims. Eachof the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling withinthe inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1.-25. (canceled)
 26. A computer-implemented method comprising:detecting, via at least one of one or more processors, a request topresent wagering game content via a web browser associated with awagering game machine, wherein an identifier is associated with therequest, wherein the identifier is stored in a setting associated withthe wagering game machine via a first mode of the wagering game machine,and wherein the request is provided via a second mode of the wageringgame machine different from the first mode; generating, via at least oneof the one or more processors, a document associated with theidentifier, wherein the wagering game content is included in thedocument, and wherein the document is in a format presentable via theweb browser; and providing, via at least one of the or more processors,the document for presentation via the web browser.
 27. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 26 further comprising: accessing atemplate assigned to the identifier; and generating the document usingthe template.
 28. The computer-implemented method of claim 27, whereinthe generating the document using the template comprises: reading webdocument code included in the template, wherein the web document codespecifies sections of a webpage document, and wherein the web documentcode specifies a content identifier for each of the sections; andembedding different content into each of the sections of the webpagedocument using the content identifier for the each of the sections. 29.The computer-implemented method of claim 27, wherein the identifier isone or more of a web address and a serial number for the wagering gamemachine.
 30. The computer-implemented method of claim 27, wherein theaccessing the template assigned to the identifier comprises searching adatabase for a relationship between a first database value thatspecifies the identifier and a second database value that specifies thetemplate.
 31. One or more machine-readable storage media havinginstructions stored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or moreprocessors causes the set of one or more processors to performoperations comprising: presenting a web browser on a display associatedwith a wagering game machine; detecting a request to present wageringgame content on the display, via the web browser; reading a web addressstored in a setting associated with the wagering game machine, whereinthe web address is stored in the setting via a configuration of thewagering game machine via a non-player account; providing the webaddress to a wagering game server, via a communication network, whereinthe wagering game server is configured to provide a webpage documentdescribed in the web address, wherein the wagering game content isincluded in the webpage document; receiving the webpage document fromthe wagering game server; and presenting the webpage document on thedisplay of the wagering game machine via the web browser.
 32. The one ormore machine-readable storage media of claim 31, wherein the web addressis stored in a memory device of the wagering game machine and saidoperations further comprising: initiating a boot up operation on thewagering game machine prior to the presenting the web browser on thedisplay, wherein the boot up operation is configured to generate therequest to present the wagering game content on the display; reading theweb address from the memory device; and transmitting the web address viathe communication network.
 33. The one or more machine-readable storagemedia of claim 31, said operations further comprising: logging in thenon-player account before presenting the web browser on the display,wherein the non-player account has administrative user rights toconfigure the wagering game machine; receiving the web address via userinput associated with the non-player account; and storing the webaddress in a memory storage location associated with the wagering gamemachine prior to the detecting the request.
 34. The one or moremachine-readable storage media of claim 31, wherein the webpage documentis specific to a theme and denomination for the wagering game contentindicated at the wagering game machine.
 35. The one or moremachine-readable storage media of claim 31, said operations furthercomprising disabling user controls of the web browser.
 36. The one ormore machine-readable storage media of claim 31, wherein the operationof presenting the web browser includes presenting the web browser toentirely cover the display.
 37. A system comprising: one or moreprocessors; and one or more memory storage devices configured to storeinstructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform operations to initiate a firstmode of a wagering game machine, during the first mode, present a webbrowser on a display associated with a wagering game machine, detect arequest to present wagering game content on the display, via the webbrowser, read an identifier stored in a setting associated with thewagering game machine, wherein the identifier is stored in the settingduring a configuration of the wagering game machine via a second mode ofthe wagering game machine different from the first mode, wherein thesecond mode is a non-game-play mode, provide the identifier to a server,via a communication network, wherein the server is configured to use theidentifier to select the wagering game content, and wherein the wageringgame content is in a format presentable by the web browser, receive thewagering game content from the server, and present the wagering gamecontent on the display of the wagering game machine via the web browser.38. The system of claim 37, wherein the identifier is stored in a memorydevice of the wagering game machine and wherein the one or more memorystorage devices are configured to store instructions, which whenexecuted by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the systemto further perform operations to: initiate a boot up operation on thewagering game machine prior to presenting the web browser on thedisplay, wherein the boot up operation is configured to generate therequest to present the wagering game content on the display; read theweb address from the memory device; and transmit the web address via thecommunication network.
 39. The system of claim 37, wherein the one ormore memory storage devices are configured to store instructions, whichwhen executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause thesystem to further perform operations to: log in a user account beforepresenting the web browser on the display, wherein the user account hasadministrative rights to configure the wagering game machine; receivethe identifier via user input associated with the user account; andstore the identifier in a memory storage location associated with thewagering game machine prior to the detecting the request to present thewagering game content on the display.
 40. The system of claim 37,wherein the wagering game content is specific to a theme anddenomination for the wagering game machine.
 41. The system of claim 37,wherein the one or more memory storage devices are configured to storeinstructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to further perform operations to disablebrowsing controls of the web browser when the wagering game machine isin the first mode.
 42. A computer-implemented method comprising:initiating a first mode of a wagering game machine; configuring thewagering game machine, in the first mode, to present a web browser whenthe wagering game machine is activated in a second mode different fromthe first mode, wherein the second mode provides access to wagering gameplay; when in the first mode, storing an identifier in a setting for thewagering game machine; and via at least one of one or more processors,configuring the wagering game machine to communicate the identifier viaa communications network to a server when the second mode is activated,wherein the server is configured to use the identifier to selectwagering game content in a format presentable via the web browser. 43.The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the first mode isinaccessible to players of the wagering game machine.
 44. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the configuring thewagering game machine to present the web browser when the second mode isactivated comprises configuring the web browser to be presented withoutbrowsing controls.
 45. The computer-implemented method of claim 42,wherein the configuring the wagering game machine to communicate theidentifier via the communications network to the server is performedprior to use of the wagering game machine by a player account.
 46. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the identifierindicates one or more of a web address and a unique identifier for thewagering game machine.
 47. The computer-implemented method of claim 42,wherein the server is configured to determine a specific theme anddenomination specific associated with the identifier.
 48. An apparatuscomprising: at least one processor; and one or more memory storagedevices configured to store instructions, which when executed by the atleast one processor, cause the apparatus to perform operations to detecta request from a wagering game machine to present wagering game contentvia a web browser, detect a unique identifier associated with thewagering game machine in response to the request to present the wageringgame content on the web browser, and provide the wagering game contentto the wagering game machine based on the identifier, wherein thewagering game content is in a format presentable by the web browser. 49.The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the one or more memory storagedevices are configured to store instructions, which when executed by atleast one of the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:determine a webpage template assigned to the unique identifier; generatea webpage document using web document code included in the webpagetemplate; and embed the wagering game content into the webpage documentusing settings associated with the web page template.
 50. The apparatusof claim 48, wherein the one or more memory storage devices areconfigured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one ofthe one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: provide the wageringgame content to the wagering game machine based on the uniqueidentifier, wherein the wagering game content is in a format presentableby the web browser.
 51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the uniqueidentifier is a serial number for the wagering game machine.
 52. Theapparatus of claim 48, wherein the one or more memory storage devicesare configured to store instructions, which when executed by at leastone of the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to search adatabase for a relationship between a first database value including theunique identifier and a second database value that identifies thewebpage template.
 53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the webpagetemplate includes template sections, and wherein the template sectionsinclude setting values that identify types of gaming content for each ofthe template sections, and wherein the one or more memory storagedevices are configured to store instructions, which when executed by atleast one of the one or more processors, cause the apparatus togenerate, based on the webpage template, a webpage document with webpagesections that correspond to the template sections.
 54. The apparatus ofclaim 48, wherein the one or more memory storage devices are configuredto store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one ormore processors, cause the apparatus to: determine conditions during thewagering game session, wherein the conditions are associated with one ormore of a player preference, a player game history, a network time, anetwork date, a player status, a patron population, a wagering gamemachine status, and a popularity of a wagering game; analyze theconditions using content presentation rules; and determine the wageringgame content based on the analyzing of the conditions.